The Rifyal Report: A Guide to Stop Aspiring and Just Be

Being
a first-time filmmaker trying to make that first short film is really hard. The
birth of one’s filmmaking journey, making a short film is the first time one begins
to learn the processes from having an idea or a premise, to actually making a
film. It is also when one has least experience, at one’s most vulnerable, and
in need of substantially more than a little help.

Fundamentally,
ideas are easy, but execution is a whole different ballpark. Everyone has
ideas. But to execute them? That, is truly hard. This is what separates an aspiring
filmmaker from a filmmaker—the incredible feat of just doing it.

One
of the first, not to mention the biggest, stumbling blocks that any aspiring
filmmaker would face is funding. I think, one natural reaction would be to look
for a short film grant, which our recently remodeled governmental benefactor,
the Infocomm Media Development Authority (iMDA) provides. In fact, they
recently announced a call-for-proposal for short films grant assistance.

Great!
Well, maybe not so. Once you read the terms and conditions, you start to
notice something troubling about it. To be eligible for this grant, you need to
have had directed at least one short film that has screened at a reputable
international film festival (including Singapore International Film Festival),
or locally at Singapore Short Cuts, or to have competed at the National Youth
Film Awards.

Essentially,
if you have never directed a short film before, you are not eligible. Even if
you have been directing other works such as TVCs, a web series or vlogs or you
are an experienced Director of Photography, Assistant Director, or Editor who
wants their own chance at directing a short film, you are not eligible.

If
you think that is somewhat unfair, you are right. Not everyone can find an
opportunity to direct, not even in film school and many others, especially
younger people, may opt to learn the ropes of production in other roles before
taking the responsibility of a director.

Couple
the fact that this is really the only grant that it affords to filmmakers for
short films as well as the competitiveness of being accepted into film
festivals, its exclusiveness leaves out a ton of talented people. We do not have
such a myriad of other organizations that gives you grants the way the
government does and this highlights what a huge problem that is too.

That
being said, I have to be relatively fair and honest. I do think that from the
perspective of the iMDA, it helps them close the door on some risks and ensures
a more consistent level of quality of filmmaking that they want to encourage.
Not every promising idea leads to a successful film.

But
the fact of the matter is if we are not inclusive in helping aspiring
filmmakers achieve their goals, we will inevitably lose them, either from
discouraging them to the harsh practicalities of living in Singapore, or by
losing them to other countries with better potential for support. Ultimately,
we stem our society’s potential for artistic and cultural sophistication and
growth, whilst others accelerate ahead.

Overall
then, it seems like a very discouraging issue for aspiring filmmakers right
from the start. However, my advice is if you want to direct,

If
you are unable to get funding from iMDA, whether you are eligible or not, and
you give up, I am sorry to say this is the wrong job for you. The
beginning years and decades for many filmmakers is living with constant
rejection. You need a great deal of determination, audacity and even blissful
ignorance when mounting a project as complex as filmmaking. But it is in
the application, attitude and the desire to create something unique, all the
while preserving an insatiable appetite for improvement that can be seen in great
filmmakers.

Furthermore,
we are living in an unprecedented age whereby the democratization of technology
has liberated many people to be able to make films on their own terms. You have
advanced audio-video recording devices on your phone. You might not be able to
do certain things that well funded projects can, but then that is also when you
apply creativity and innovation, which is what being in the creative industry
is all about.

You
will never find the right assistance falling from the sky that will be perfect
just for you that is consequence free. Nothing in life is going to be handed to
you in a straight easy line. But don’t stagnate. Do something. Do anything.
Keep moving and you will get where you want to be.

All
you have to do is commit your entire life to something, which will result in
one of two outcomes. Either you will succeed, or you will keep trying, which is
in and of itself its own form of success. So whilst there needs to be an
improvement in helping first time filmmakers in terms of assistance, young
filmmakers still can take the opportunity to help themselves.